Easily installable delayed egress lock system

Abstract

An easily installed delayed egress lock system that comprises a control module and a latching mechanism attached to the door jamb and a bolt attached to the door. The control module comprises a shell that houses the control circuitry. The latch mechanism comprises a casing that houses a keeper and actuator, two interconnecting channels for retaining the keeper and actuator, and an electrical solenoid. The mechanism also defines a port that receives the bolt when the door is shut. The bolt comprises an elongated body supported by a base and terminating with a spaced-apart head. Preferably, the primary door lock signals the control module when released to start counting down a preselected time period. At the end of the time period, the solenoid deactivates to unlock the door. In the preferred embodiment, the keeper comprises a ball while the actuator comprises a larger ball. The bolt for all embodiments defines a seat that receives the keeper. Installation of the system may be accomplished by first securing the control module and latch mechanism to the door jamb. Next, the bolt is locked into the port with marking dyes covering on each bolt base attachment point. When the door is forcibly shut, the resulting imprint on the door marks the attachment points.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An emergency exit door comprising: a door with a primary paddle arm lock,   an auxiliary door locking system triggered when said primary door lock is depressed, said system comprising: a bolt comprising a body and an annular seat defined in said body;   a latching mechanism for receiving said bolt when said door is closed, said mechanism comprising: keeper means for normally captivating said bolt, said keeper means comprising a displaceable spherical keeper adapted to selectively mate within said annular seat and a spherical actuator with a diameter at least two times larger than the diameter of said keeper for displacing said keeper when so activated by plunger means for selectively activating said spherical actuator;   a port aligned with said bolt for receiving same;   a first tubular channel defined in said mechanism intersecting said port for housing said keeper;   a second tubular channel defined in said mechanism terminally intersecting said first channel for housing said actuator and,   timer means for temporarily delaying unlocking in response to the depression of said paddle arm lock.       
     
     
       2. The door as defined in claim 1 wherein said bolt further comprises an entry angle to facilitate bolt entry into said port and said seat comprises a displacement angle to dislodge said keeper therefrom during withdrawal from said port. 
     
     
       3. The door as defined in claim 2 wherein said entry angle is between four and eight degrees and said displacement angle is between twenty-five and thirty-five degrees. 
     
     
       4. The door as defined in claim 3 further comprising marking means for designating the location of said bolt on said door and wherein said bolt is adapted to selectively secure said marking means temporarily. 
     
     
       5. A fail safe auxiliary door locking system for use with a primary paddle arm lock to delay door opening, said system comprising: a bolt comprising a body and an annular seat defined in said body;   a latching mechanism for receiving said bolt when said door is closed, said mechanism comprising: keeper means for normally captivating said bolt, said keeper means comprising a displaceable keeper disposed within said mechanism for selectively engaging said annular seat, said keeper being spherical and adapted to mate within said seat, and an actuator being spherical for displacing said keeper when selectively activated by plunger means, said spherical actuator comprising a diameter larger than the diameter of said spherical keeper to geometrically increase the force necessary to withdraw said keeper while said keeper is mated in said seat;   a port aligned with said bolt for receiving same;   a first tubular channel defined in said mechanism intersecting said port for housing said keeper;   a second tubular channel defined in said mechanism terminally intersecting said first channel for housing said actuator; and,     timer means for temporarily delaying unlocking in response to said primary door latch.